"Only the barest of knowledge," laughed the comte. He was certain she had almost yielded to the urge to trust him. He could yet gain her confidence.

"There are so many aristocratic families, you understand, one cannot know them all. There was some gossip about the baron the past few months. That is all," he shrugged negligently.

"Gossip?" Lady Juliane spread her fan concentrating. "Of course, all women are interested in gossip.

You cannot mean to tantalize me with the hint of it without telling all," she said, fluttering her fan before her face.

"What could a minor French family mean to you?" he teased calculatingly.

"Nothing, of course. But come, what is it you heard?" Lady Juliane gave a laugh she feared was a trifle nervous.

"If you insist. It seems the baron become short of funds. He had an English wife who was angry with him about this and something about the Duc de Veryl-the remainder is very confusing.

"The story is told in all different manners, but it concerns a small fortune in jewels. One never knows what to believe about gossip, does one?" he asked, watching her closely.

"No, of course not. It is probably all false," Lady Juliane said, her fan slowing. "Come, let us join Lord Adrian."

As she led the way, not allowing him to refuse, Juliane tried to digest his words. Would it be the gems the abductors were after? Cora had mentioned nothing of any. Her own search of the house at Rouen had yielded nothing of value. If only she had a clue as to their pursuers' ident.i.ties. Was the baron one of His grating tone brought Lady Juliane's attention back to the present. "But how could I refrain from your company an entire evening?" she replied coolly.

"Lady Cecile, would you join me?" asked Comte de Cavilon, with a gracious bow.

"I would be delighted, my dear Comte. It is a relief that some men present know how to amuse one,"

she said with a pointed glance at the earl.

Watching the two walk away, Lady Juliane smiled deceptively. "Losing your charm, my lord?"

"No more than you are acquiring yours," Lord Adrian answered in like mien.

"My, my, feeling a touch raw this evening. Let me remind you that it is at your insistence that I remain.

Are you now willing to renounce your plans for tomorrow evening?"

"No, my lady," Tretain said firmly. "No one shall deny me the pleasure of presenting my wife."

"Who is it you hate? Your mother or I?" she asked, feeling a tear p.r.i.c.k behind her eyes.

"Now is no time to speak of it. Later. Come," he took her arm, "let us make a foursome with Mother and Cousin Percy for a game of whist. I am sure you could find nothing more delightful." Juliane's answering look convinced him that their conversation was at an end.

CHAPTER 18.

Light flooded the room as Bess threw open the draperies and stripped back the bed hangings in Lady Juliane's bedchamber. "Oh, my lady, aren't you excited! The night will be here ere the wax is properly shined. I just knew you'd wish to be up early."

Lady Juliane turned over and covered her head with her pillow. Today was one day she would just as leave forego.

"No funning me now, Lady Juliane, best to be up. Lord Adrian sent word he will visit you shortly," insisted Bess, certain this would rouse her lady if nothing else could.

Sitting up abruptly Lady Juliane asked, "Did he say when?"

"No, my lady," answered Bess as she brought a cup of chocolate to her.

"Never mind that," Lady Juliane exclaimed pushing the cup aside. "Let me get dressed. Don't stand there gaping. What should I wear?" Jerking open the wardrobe, she went through the gowns.

"I think this blue day gown. Why the frown? Oh, yes, my gown for this evening is blue-this won't do. Fiddle-faddle, you choose something while I do my hair," Lady Juliane said, her mind in such a dither she did not notice the connecting door open. of the garments I have given you is increased tenfold by your pleasure in them."

Lady Juliane swung around at the sound of Lord Adrian's voice. Viewing with increasing disfavour his impeccable appearance in buckskin breeches, wren-brown small clothes, and exquisitely cut buckskin coat, she asked, "Will you never learn to give some warning?"

"Bess, you may go. I will send for you when you are needed."

"No, Bess, stay here." After last night, Lady Juliane had no wish to be alone with him.

Bess's pained expression swung from Lord Adrian to Lady Juliane, then back to Lord Adrian. She bowed her head and stammered as she went out the door. "I'm ... I'm sorry, my lady."

"You are detestable," Lady Juliane said calmly as the door closed behind the girl.

"I am happy to learn your opinion of me improves," Adrian said as he sat down. He waved his hand languidly. "That gown is charming in a countrified way, but I am convinced the negligee I had sent from London would suit your looks more favourably." He raised his quizzing gla.s.s.

Lady Juliane glanced down and realized she was still in her nightdress. Walking calmly to the bed where her wrapper lay, she tried to think of suitable revenge. The vile man had mentioned her attire only to embarra.s.s her. She drew on the wrapper and turned to Lord Adrian with a smile.

"What is it you wish to discuss, my lord?" she asked sweetly.

Lord Adrian c.o.c.ked his head in turn, but offered no other sign of discernment. "I had not thought to find you in-in such a fair humour this morning. Shall I thank Louis for it?" His tone did not change but his look became cold, hard, and cynical.

"I do not know what you mean," Lady Juliane replied calmly. She took a seat at her dressing table and picked up her comb.

Lord Adrian rose with the smooth motion of a panther and began pacing.

"What is it, my lord?" she asked, turning in her chair.

He stopped and stared as if trying to reach a decision concerning her. "I ... I have ordered the children to remain in their rooms until tomorrow morning." His look cut her objection.

"Fool! Can you not see this would be the perfect opportunity for the abductors? With all the additional help, stir and fuss in getting the last details accomplished for this evening, they could easily enter the house undetected. I have taken additional steps to protect the children, but it is best if no one knows of it." He had become impa.s.sive once more.

"I wish only to a.s.sure you that everything is being done for their safety. I ask only for your cooperation this evening."

"My cooperation, my lord?"

"I believe you know exactly what I mean." Lord Adrian approached Juliane and put a hand beneath her "We shall present a very happy front to our guests this evening." His coldness flickered, then vanished, replaced by an appeal. "I have arranged a very special surprise for you after the ball."

is lips claimed Juliane's before she could object. She responded to the gentle question in the movement of his lips upon her own. Shaken, she could only stare when he drew back.

Taking her hand, Adrian removed the band she wore on her third finger and slowly eased another band in its place. He looked searchingly at her, his eyes pledging a love he had not voiced. "This is my token of our betrothal, Juliane," he said. Gently raising her hand, he kissed the newly placed ring and then left.

Bess found her mistress still seated, staring blankly at the large diamond solitaire on her finger.

Lady Juliane spent the remainder of the day in a semi-haze. She tended to the minor details Lady Tretain a.s.signed her and visited the children. They were unruly, affected by the fever pitch of everyone in the house. She had just succeeded in calming them somewhat when shouts outside drew them to the windows.

Near the front steps a rider fell off a lathered horse. Holdt and a liveried servant rushed to help him.

Straining to see out the window, Andre asked, "Who was that?"

"I have no idea. A messenger of some sort, I would guess by the state of his horse," Lady Juliane answered. "I must go now. You help Alva amuse Leora. Perhaps she could play soldiers with you. I shall visit again before we dine.

"Remember, you are not to leave these rooms," she cautioned.

As she went back into the hall, Lady Juliane wondered what to do. There was still some time left before she must dress and she did not feel like resting. A walk in the garden would clear her mind she decided.

Glancing down at her hand, she touched the ring.

It was real. Had Lord Adrian meant it as a sign of his love? What to believe?

The world had become strangely unhinged since she had left India. Everything seemed to swirl together making it impossible to discern fact from fiction. Juliane's head told her to question Adrian's action. Her heart told her to depend on him. It told her she loved him.

Her natural honesty forced the conclusion upon her. Why else did she get so disconcerted when he was near. Why else the jealousy of Lady Cecile. Why else the thrill at his touch-at his kiss?

Hope buoyed her. Lord Adrian appeared of serious mind despite his witticisms and offhand manner.

Precautions, he said, were being taken for the children. This had surprised her. Juliane smiled as she wandered through the corridors making for the gardens.

"There you are, Lady Juliane," Lady Tretain halted her. "Would you tell Holdt, if you see him, to be certain the extra grooms are liveried and wearing their gloves.

"Also check the flower arrangements in the ballroom. They were not completely finished with them when Impulsively, she hugged a startled Lady Juliane. "I know I am not the easiest of women to abide, but Adrian has eased my fears concerning you by telling me of your plans after the ball. It is an odd choice in time, but then he is so like his father-sensible until he takes a notion. You have done him so much good.

"I must go to my bed. See to it that you get some rest also. Must be in fine fettle, you know."

Lady Juliane's eyes followed Lady Tretain's stately walk down the hall, baffled. What had the countess meant by her mind being eased? Best not to try and understand this family, she reasoned. Be thankful when they show some sense. Try as she might, Juliane could not stifle the "but why" echoing in her mind.

A while later, Lady Juliane lay back on her bed, trying to rest. She had done all that had been bidden of her, even finding time for another visit to the children before she yielded to Bess and permitted the maid to close the draperies and have her lie down.

Juliane was far too keyed up to sleep. All day she had been constantly fingered the ring Lord Adrian had given her. She tried to deduce his plan-his surprise-but her thoughts led to the remembrance of his tender glances, the thrill of his touch. His kisses.

Reason told Lady Juliane he could not have told his mother what his plan was if it were anything less than honourable. Could it be?